Cinema Review - Elysium

Neill Blomkamp sprung onto the scene just a few years ago as he presented the world with a staggering vision of sci-fi in the supreme District 9. Now, armed with a bigger budget and a larger platform, the director brings to us Elysium, but can he work his magic once again in the genre?

Elysium sees the world in 2154 as it has changed vastly, with Earth a wasteland and only home to the poor, with those who can afford the luxury, living on Elysium, a brand new space station world with no disease and maintaining a fruitful way of living. 

On Earth, Max (Matt Damon) is looking to live as best as he can working an honest job, but when he is exposed to extreme radiation poisoning, he has little choice but to find a way up to Elysium for a cure. His only way of doing so is doing one last illegal job as he dons an electronic suit of armour that gives him super strength and is the key to his survival. Unfortunately, on his trail are Secretary Of Defence Jessica Delacourt (Jodie Foster) and her hired bounty hunter Kruger (Sharlto Copley)...

There's no denying that Blomkamp is certainly at home when it comes to the sci-fi genre. His imagery and focus on an engaging story within a ravaged world is once again at the pinnacle, and with Elysium he is allowed to broaden his horizons in comparison to the slums of South Africa in District 9. That extra allowance is arguably a welcome sight, with the film among one of the most beautiful sights to behold this year, but at times it does feel a little too big.

While the spectacle is for the most part impressive, Blomkamp's casting is a mixed bag. Damon is undeniably brilliant in the leading man mould, as ever, his character evolving from helpless citizen to the one man who can make a difference is definitely what a blockbuster of this magnitude requires. So too is the villain of the piece, Copley, whose rather soft-hearted accent is quickly shunned by a truly intimidating, blood-lusting individual whose dangerous motives and sheer anger easily strikes that level of fear into the audience that we expect. 

On the flip side, both William Fichtner and, more surprisingly, Jodie Foster bring the bad, with wooden performances and, in Foster's case, an awful accent. At times, in fact, it almost appears that Foster's dialogue is being dubbed somehow, slightly perplexing the audience.

Those negatives aside, Elysium is certainly an applaudable second entry from Blomkamp and continues his strength in the genre, especially when it comes to thrilling set pieces. Any film that contains guns that simply evaporate people and a brilliantly poised grenade explosion to the face should be worthy of accolades.

Film rating: 4 out of 5 F's

Film review - Carnage

What happens when you stick four parents in a house to discuss an altercation between their two sons? Well, Carnage of course!

Based on the play, God Of Carnage, by Yasmina Reza, Roman Polanski brings to us a superb black comedy with just four central characters and one location, a feat that very few directors could pull off. Elaborating on the premise of Carnage is of great difficulty as the central plot is as simplistic as you can get.

When their son Zachary hits a fellow pupil’s face with a stick in the playground, parents Nancy and Alan Cowan (Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz) take the decision to visit the victim’s parents in an attempt to come to a resolution as to how calm can be preserved in the situation. Ethan’s parents, Penelope and Michael Longstreet (Jodie Foster and John C Reilly) welcome the couple into their home and they proceed with talking through a solution to their sons’ clash. At first, the four remain calm and composed, maintaining a civilized discussion but soon the cracks in their personalities begin to show and the tranquility that first appeared is quick to disappear. Add to the proceedings Alan constantly answering phone calls from his work colleagues and Nancy vomiting over Penelope’s collection of art books, and chaos ensues….

As a film of such simplicity, Carnage results in an ultimately hilarious and true-to-life comedy. Pitting two couples against each other, events take a turn for the worse as we expect and even at points pits the gender groups up against one another. 

With no hesitation it can be said that all leads, from Foster's over-emotional Penelope to Waltz's workaholic Alan, there is something for everyone in the characters and each of their descent into breaking point is a joy to watch. 

As events turn from the good to the bad, the belly laughs come thick and fast,making Carnage one of the most impressive comedies for some time. Polanski will be proud of his most recent piece of work and no doubt there will be many a plaudit for Foster, Winslet, Reilly and Waltz. Oh, and a final note, if you're not a fan of vomit beware!!

Film rating: 4 out of 5 F's